- After nearly two years of operation, the Real-Time Crime Center has proven its worth. The facility, staffed by data analysts and missing persons investigators, monitors a growing network of cameras and license plate readers across Escambia County.
“We’ve never been as capable as we are today, and we’re not as capable as we’re going to be tomorrow,” Simmons said.
Pensacola Beach Gets Enhanced Protection
The latest expansion focuses on Pensacola Beach, where 14 new camera sites will be installed as part of phase two of the boardwalk camera project. Seven cameras will cover the boardwalk parking lots, while another seven will monitor the Casino Beach parking area.
- “We’re not trying to keep these cameras secret,” Simmons explained. “We’re trying to let everyone know that this is a place where you can come and you can have fun, bring your family, but it’s not a place where you can screw around and destroy our beautiful beach.”
Real-Time Results
The center’s effectiveness extends far beyond deterrence. In one recent “jugging” case—where criminals target people leaving banks or ATM with cash—investigators used vehicle descriptions and license plate readers to identify a suspect vehicle. Within an hour, the suspect was apprehended in Fort Walton Beach, thanks to the network of cameras that extends throughout Florida and into Alabama.
- At the center, analysts review overnight reports, check cameras for relevant footage, and coordinate with a registry of residential cameras. That registry has exploded in recent weeks, growing from 600 to over 1,300 registered cameras after a social media push by the sheriff’s office.
Technology Meets Traditional Policing
Simmons is quick to note that technology doesn’t replace deputies—it enhances their capabilities. The center features AI-enabled cameras that can search for specific vehicle types and colors, while license plate readers automatically flag vehicles of interest. Two Pensacola Police Department officers work alongside sheriff’s deputies in the facility, and other agencies are exploring partnerships.
- The sheriff credits County Commissioners Ashlee Hofberger, Robert Bender (who was elected Supervisor of Elections in 2024), and Lumon May for their support, noting that cameras installed in the Montclair area have already helped solve crimes.
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